The Stinging Bug. 419 
Another insect very common and destructive in Georgia, 
though it closely resembes the two just described, is of a 
different genus. It is the Laphria thoracica of Fabricius. 
In this genus the third vein is forked, and the third joint 
of the antenna is without the bristle, though it is elongated 
and tapering. The insect is black, with yellow hair cover- 
ing the upper surface of the thorax. The abdomen is 
wholly black both above and below, though the legs have 
yellow hairs. on the femurs and tibia. This insect belongs 
to the same family as the others, and has the same habits. 
It is found North as well as South. 
THE STINGING BUG—-PHYMATA EROSA, FABR. 
This insect is very widely distributed throughout the 
United States. I have received it from Maryland to Mis- 
souri on the South, and from Michigan to Minnesota on 
the North. The insect will lie concealed among the flowers, 
and.upon occasion will grasp a bee, hold it off at arm’s 
length, and suck out its blood and life. 
Fic. 204. Fic. 206. 
(o> 
a 
Side view, natural size, Magnified twice. Beak much magnified. 
This is a Hemipteron, or true bug, and belongs to the 
family: Phymatide, Uhler. It is the Phymata erosa, 
Fabr., the specific name erosa referring to its jagged ap- 
pearance. It is also called the “stinging bug,” in refer- 
ence to its habit of repelling intrusion by a painful thrust 
with its sharp, strong beak. 
The “stinging bug” (Fig. 204) is somewhat jagged in 
appearance, about three-eighths of an inch long, and gen- 
